For an artist who says music is his ardour and the music of others is his pastime, it’s no shock why Puerto Rican salsa icon Gilberto Santa Rosa launched a conceptual album referred to as Debut y Segunda Tanda. Each the Vol. 1 and a deluxe model have been produced by his label B2B Music and distributed by Imagine.
The “Debut” a part of its title, as he explains to Billboard, represents three of his authentic recordings, resembling “Cartas Sobre La Mesaz” — whereas “Segunda Tanda” pays tribute to emblematic tracks recorded by his colleagues, resembling Willie Chirino, Mucho Manolo and Carlos Vives’ “For Sale,” to call a couple of.
“The primary tune that was created was ‘Cartas Sobre La Mesa,’ and that’s the one which sparked the idea of my album,” he says of his first set in two years. “This album got here on the good timing.”
Beneath, learn 20 questions with El Caballero de la Salsa, the place he opens up about his new album, being from Santurce, Puerto Rico, the film that makes him cry and extra.
1. That is your first album in two years — what’s the idea behind Debut y Segunda Tanda?
It’s easy. My new songs are those debuting and the second half is the covers. Half of the songs have been initially recorded by me and the opposite half are songs that different artists lent me for the album.
2. On this album, you pay homage to your colleagues Willie Chirino, Mucho Manolo, Septeto Acarey, Grupo Bahia, Carlos Vives and Alejandro Sanz. Which of those covers was most difficult so that you can interpret?
Honestly, I determine with all of them, even when they’re not my songs. However I must say “Cartas Sobre La Mesa” as a result of it was initially recorded as an city tune. I’ve achieved tropical and romantic covers, nevertheless it’s the primary time I did one thing city. Although salsa and concrete have a variety of issues in widespread, beginning with their origin, this tune was probably the most peculiar for me.
3. Of your authentic tracks on the album, which is your private favourite?
Indubitably “En Defensa Propia.” It’s a really well-written tune, very Santa Rosa. It’s a tune made for expression and it offers the album a particular contact.
4. Which tune from Debut y Segunda Tanda are you most excited to carry out dwell?
I like all of them! Since I choose the songs for my exhibits, I want to carry out all of them, as a result of it’s an album I actually need my followers to find.
5. Why did you resolve to launch this album in two elements?
The album was divided as a result of I went into the studio and received excited. I noticed I had a variety of songs, and we determined to work on the primary eight. Moreover, time passes by very quick, and a variety of music will get misplaced in the way in which. That’s after we had the concept of releasing it in two elements.
6. What’s on the high of your skilled bucket checklist?
I don’t actually have a bucket checklist. Who is aware of if in a few years I’ll deal with that checklist? However in the intervening time, I don’t have something.
7. Who made you understand you could possibly be an artist full-time?
I used to be six years previous. There was a trainer in my college who sadly handed away very younger, her identify was Yenny Diaz. She was a science trainer, however she additionally led the music courses. She taught us to play the guitar. She inspired me and taught me rather a lot. I keep in mind her with nice affection. She was the one individual, of all of the individuals who gave me a lending hand, who didn’t see me develop my profession.
8. Which might you say is probably the most emblematic tune of your profession?
“Conciencia” and “Perdóname.” They’re two songs that I’ve positively needed to sing in all of the locations since I recorded them.
9. What was the primary live performance you ever noticed?
I began singing very younger, so I had entry to see virtually all of the artists free of charge. However, the primary live performance I went to which my uncle paid for the ticket was Las Estrellas de Fania — and the primary live performance that I paid for, the place I labored and saved, was to see an awesome Cuban singer named Roberto Ledesma, a spectacular romantic singer.
10. What artist, lifeless or alive, would you prefer to see in live performance?
Nicely, it’s going to shock you, as a result of I’ve seen virtually each artist. However I want to see John Legend, Alicia Keys, or Justin Timberlake, if attainable.
11. How did being from Santurce, Puerto Rico form your artwork?
Completely. Numerous musicians and singers who excelled in salsa music got here from Santurce. At one time, the guts of leisure was there together with radio and tv stations. The ambiance typically is a really glad sector with a variety of music. I all the time keep in mind my grandmother’s home, whenever you went out to the balcony and there was music in every single place, and also you have been nourished by all that. Being from there helped me with my coaching, after all.
12. What was the final tune you listened to?
After I put together for my live shows, I prefer to hearken to music by different artists. Final night time I used to be listening to a tune referred to as “Adolorido” by a Cuban singer named Tito Gomez who has already handed away.
13. What tune or film all the time makes you cry?
There’s a film that has all of it! It has tears, it has suspense, and even various violence however very effectively used. The primary Godfather film, I’ve seen it like 900 occasions. I all the time discover one thing that I didn’t see the earlier time. That film talks about household, and loyalty, it goes past being a mobster film. There are lots of fascinating and deep messages.
14. Do you recall your first job ever?
I’ve all the time labored in music. I thank music for sustaining me all my life. However, the very first job I had was delivering newspapers for 2 weeks. The opposite time, I used to be a mannequin for a automobile present. I needed to drive one, however I’m often not driver, so it didn’t go very effectively for me. These have been the final occasions I labored on one thing apart from music.
15. Moreover music, what’s one other ardour of yours?
I is usually a bit boring as a result of I’m captivated with music and nothing else. My work is music and my pastime is the music of others. In the previous couple of years, nonetheless, I wasn’t a lot into going to the studio. For me, the recordings have been very tedious, however about 5 years in the past, I started getting concerned and visiting the studio each on occasion to document issues. That’s why I’ve many songs for this album.
16. What’s your all-time favourite trip spot?
Las Vegas. I like going there for the leisure way of life. It’s a metropolis the place there’s all the time one thing new happening. I’ve seen virtually each artist within the residences. I’ve time even when it’s on a bench consuming espresso. It’s an fascinating desert.
17. Describe 2022 in a single phrase?
Spectacular!
18. With a more-than-40-year profession, what’s one piece of recommendation you’ll give to youthful salsa artists?
A real vocation and the stamina to maneuver ahead are essential. It’s not a straightforward highway — life, typically — is just not, however right this moment, there’s a distinction between all of the advances that exist. And that appears to be a bonus, however generally it isn’t, as a result of the competitors is even stronger. It’s harder for individuals to deal with an artist. So, it’s a must to have the stamina and character to have the ability to fulfill a dream. There may be all the time a door that opens, there’ll all the time be a chance, and there’s all the time an individual who helps you — however we can not quit on the primary failure or the primary “no.” It’s arduous to begin a undertaking and defend it.
19. What’s the one phrase you all the time use?
Everybody is aware of me as a result of I take advantage of the phrase “Caminalo!” At first, it began out as a strictly rhythmic phrase, however right this moment for me it’s virtually a philosophy. It suggests going ahead, not stopping, the longer term, and motion.
20. What do you hope to perform or expertise in 2023?
We’re going to begin selling each volumes of Debut y Segunda Tanda, and in 2023, we are going to start planning the brand new tour that we hope will take us to Europe once more.